Located along the little Elkhart River, the River Preserve is our largest park encompassing 327 acres. Once
the site of early mill operations and hydroelectric generation the park
contains the dams, canals and foundations of an earlier day.

Visitors to the park will experience
the natural beauty of Elkhart County. Wetlands along the Elkhart River
provide excellent habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species.
The park is included in the Indiana Wildlife Viewing Guide, a listing
of the top 80 wildlife viewing areas in the state of Indiana. Additional
information on canoeing the River Preserve can be found on the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources, Indiana
Canoeing Guide website.

Baintertown Hydro: 0.5 miles east of State Road 15 on County Road
29. Site contains a hydroelectric power plant, fishing and small boat
access, picnic site, hiking trail.

Baintertown Park: 67380
County Road 29, New Paris, IN 46533
1 mile east of State Road 15 on County Road 29, north at County Road 142.
Site contains, accessible parking, open shelter, accessible latrine, drinking
fountain, picnic sites, fishing and small boat access and an orienteering/GPS Course. (Click here for a brochure of the course.)

Benton Hydro: 1-1.5 miles
west of U.S. 33 on County Road 44, south ½ miles on County Road 127. Site
contains hiking trails, picnic site, fishing and small boat access.

Benton Spillway: 68552
County Road 31, Goshen, IN 46553
2 miles south of U.S. 33 on County Road 31. Site contains a dam, spillway,
canal, accessible latrine, drinking fountain, open shelter, hiking trails,
fishing and small boat access, wildlife viewing area.

Benton Landing: 68105
US 33, Goshen, IN 46526
North side of Elkhart River Bridge on U.S. 33 in Benton, IN, parking lot
on west side of the road. Site contains picnic area, seasonal latrine,
fishing and small boat access.

DeFries Gardens: 17477
County Road 46, New Paris, IN 46553
1.25 miles east of New Paris, IN on county Road 46. Site contains park
manager office, maintenance facility, residence and parking. Visitors
can enjoy the hiking trail, Calendar Garden, informal gardens and canoe
access to the Elkhart River.

*Vehicles
left in the parking lots after hours will be locked in and issued a warning
with instructions on how to remove the vehicle.

*Selected
parking lots may be closed during the winter months.

Shelter
Rental/Reservation

Baintertown
ShelterCapacity - 50 Fee
- $50.00
Open-air shelter located in the Baintertown Park section. Picnic tables
and charcoal grills are provided with shelter. Site contains open area
for recreation, accessible parking, accessible latrine,
drinking fountain, picnic sites, fishing and small boat access. Close
to the Baintertown Wetland Area which includes a pond and managed wetland.
Hiking trails lead along historic canal, through woods and meadows to
Baintertown Hydro Plant and Baintertown Dam.

Benton
SpillwayCapacity - 30 Fee
- $30.00
Open-air shelter located in the Benton Spillway section. Picnic
tables and charcoal grills are provided with shelter.Site
contains open area for recreatioin, an accessible latrine, drinking fountain,
fishing and small boat access. Miles of hiking trails lead along the historic
canal through woods, restored prairies, meadows and wetlands to the Benton
Spillway and Benton Dam. The area is listed as an Indiana Wildlife Viewing
Area. Handicapped Accessible.

DeFries
GardensCapacity - 50 Fee
- $200.00 ($250 Cash Security Deposit)
The DeFries Garden area features the beautiul Calendar Garden and surrounding
lawn area. Site also provides a drinking fountain, modern restroom facilities,
and a hiking trail. Handicapped Accessible. Rental of the site is available
for weddings only. Please contact the Elkhart County Parks administration
office for more information.

Payment MethodsPayment for program fees, shelter reservations or Ox Bow Park passes can be made by cash, check or credit card. Payments by cash or check can be made in person at the Elkhart County Parks Administration office, 211 W. Lincoln Ave, Goshen Indiana. Payment by credit card can be made in person or by phone at 574-535-6458. If paying by credit card, a convenience fee of $1.00 or 3%, which ever is greater, will be applied. Park Rules

In
an effort to protect the beauty of the parks and to provide visitors with
a safe and enjoyable experience, certain activities are prohibited .

The River Preserve is rich in
local history. It was near this site that Potowatomi Chief Nyananseya
(Five Metals) had established his village. Five Metals' vision for his
people was that they could coexist with the pioneers through large scale
farming. This dream came to the end when U.S. forces destroyed his village
in 1812 and again in 1813.

Lt.
John Jackson took part in the attack against the village. He thought the
area was so beautiful that he returned in 1829 and built a cabin near
the village site. The township now bears his name.
Other settlers soon followed.
In 1830, Jonathan Wyland and five of his brothers came to Elkhart County
from Ohio. The brothers entered 640 acres of land and built a mill race
and a saw mill. The area soon became known as Wyland Mills as they expanded
their milling operations to include a four story grist mill in 1835 and
a woolens mill in 1840. After the death of his wife, Johnathan Wyland
sold his holdings to Fredrick Bainter in 1860. The area was re-christened
Baintertown but was never plotted or recorded. In 1898 William Redden
purchased the original Wyland Mill, homestead and land. The mill continued
to operate until 1923 when it could no longer compete against national
brands.
The Interstate Public Service
Company bought the farm from the Redden family and built the Baintertown
Hydroelectric plant. The plant was owned by several utility companies
over the years but was finally shut down in 1969. Northern Indiana Public
Service Company donated the plant, dam, canal, and 1000 acres to the Elkhart
County Parks in 1970 and the River Preserve was created.

Today visitors can still see
the park's history written upon the landscape. The mill foundations, canals
and spillways give notice that this peaceful park setting was once a thriving
commercial area.